Students make a list of human accomplishments and how those accomplishments are honored. Next, they determine people in their families, school and community who display qualities that deserve to be recognized such as bravery and...

The Gold Medal Attitudes Running Club was created to promote healthy living for your elementary school pupils. Use a pedometer and a computer program to keep track of progress. A few other suggestions are available, but it's really up to...

Students explore types of awards for children's books. They design a new award. Students review books and select one to receive the newly designed award. Students create a "medal" for the book jacket. They write an explanation of the award.

Students examine the accomplishments of Nobel Prize winners and create a replica of the Nobel Prize medallion. They conduct research on people who have received the Nobel Prize and an individual they think might qualify for one in the...

First graders examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark. They listen to a story, analyze a map, compare/contrast the Jefferson Peace Medal and the Peace Medal nickel, and design a peace and...

Students study the criteria used to select notable book awards, including the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal. Then they develop their own Class Book Awards to bestow upon favorite books in the classroom library. They decide on...

Help readers understand the roles of authors and illustrators and why they have been recognized by medals of excellence. Your class will discuss and then create illustrations for a book. When they have finished, you can hold your own...

During an Olympics year, the world joins together to celebrate athleticism, patriotism, and history. Learn about the Olympiads of the 20th century with a research project in which groups research one year's Olympic Games. They note the...

Students investigate positive female role models. In this Women's History Month instructional activity, students read the book Mama Went to Jail for the Vote and think about how the character was a role model for other women. Students...

Learners work on cracking coin codes in honor of the Navajo Code Talkers Medal. Students review the handout on Crack the Code. Learners race to see who can crack the code the fastest.

Students discover the United States began to recognize the wounded as deserving of commendation toward the end of the American Revolution. They research the Purple Heart on two specific websites then design their own awards for other...

Students listen as the teacher reads a book about an Olympic Gold Medal runner who made her big dream come true despite her hardships with polio.  In this Wilma Rudolph instructional activity, students think about and discuss what...

Students find ways to share their favorite books. In this reading strategies instructional activity, students advertise books, create a top ten countdown, give a video book talk, simmer story stew, make book medals, play name that book,...

Third graders identify their strengths and find out what careers they would do best in.

Learners are introduced to the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's expedition. They are explained that the Peace Medal Nickel, was the first nickel in the Westward Journey Nickel Series.

Students design and create a poster, advertising for recruitment of African American volunteers for the Tuskegee Airmen. Students Create a historical newspaper front page, from 1996, which details the awarding of the Medal of Honor to...

Second graders examine the designs on nickels before 2004 and after when the new Peace Medal nickel was minted. They research the events that preceded the new design and explore the symbols of friendship on the new coin. They work in...

Students research the pioneers of figure skating and write a feature story for a Web publication. They write articles investigating "The Story Behind a Gold Medal" and graph the medals won by different countries between 1976-1996.

Pairs use desktop publishing software, as well as digital video and camera equipment, to craft a book review. These reviews are then shared with others in the school community through the class or school website.

Learners identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States.  In this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights.  Learners create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.

Tackle some big questions about A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with a board game project. As learners brainstorm for and complete their board games, they consider what helps and hinders Meg on her journey and why she succeeds in...

Students learn interview skills by formulating questions and videotaping an interview with a veteran.

Learners of all ages read and discuss books about Asian America. In this Asian-America lesson plan, different books for every age group are listed and various teaching strategies are suggested. Great tips cover virtually every grade level!

Learners explore symbolic gems and metals of different cultures. They demonstrate their understanding of the use of such symbols in our own culture. They read and discuss the Times article, It's jade Time At The Galleries And The Fair.